Mayor Bass Brings New Leadership to City’s Engineering and Sanitation Bureaus

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Her Appointees, Approved Today by the City Council, are Tasked with Advancing Mayor Bass' Ongoing Work to Change Decades-Old Systems

LOS ANGELES - Mayor Karen Bass today thanked the City Council for its approval of her appointees to lead the City's Bureau of Engineering and Sanitation - Crystal Lee and Joone Kim-Lopez - to bolster and improve City infrastructure and municipal services, enhance street cleaning, and help meet her ambitious climate goals.

"Since I took office, I've been challenging decades-old systems at City Hall to better deliver core services for Angelenos, and I know that Crystal Lee and Joone Kim-Lopez will be powerful allies in my fight for a city that's cleaner and in better shape," said Mayor Bass.

Crystal Lee - City Engineer, Bureau of Engineering

Crystal Lee, Mayor Bass' appointee to serve as the City's first female City Engineer, will help deliver on the implementation of Mayor Bass' Capital Infrastructure Program, oversee completion of the new Convention Center, and leverage new technology to maintain and improve City infrastructure. Most major cities in the U.S. use Capital Infrastructure Programs to deliver projects, but until Mayor Bass took executive action, Los Angeles did not. Headshot available here.

"I am deeply honored to accept the Mayor's appointment as City Engineer," said Mayor Bass' appointee Crystal Lee. "I look forward to strengthening partnerships across the City, applying strategic leadership to advance our priorities, and empowering and elevating the exceptional teams driving this work. My focus will be on delivering coordinated, high-impact infrastructure solutions that serve our communities and support the long-term vision of the City of Los Angeles."

Crystal Lee has worked for the City of Los Angeles for more than 17 years, leading on the delivery of major infrastructure, development services, environmental, sustainability and capital improvement programs. Currently, Lee serves as Deputy Executive Director of the Airport Development Group at Los Angeles World Airports, leading more than 300 City and consultant professionals to drive long-term planning for infrastructure, revenue generation, and climate resiliency at Los Angeles' airports. Crystal Lee holds a Professional Engineer License and Master of Science in Civil Engineering, with an environmental emphasis, from Loyola Marymount University.

Mayor Bass also thanked interim City Engineer Alfred Mata. "For more than 30 years, Alfred Mata has served the people of Los Angeles, leading on key projects that have advanced Los Angeles' climate resilience and created new pieces of infrastructure for Angelenos. I thank him for stepping in to lead the Bureau of Engineering during this important transition period."

Joone Kim-Lopez - Executive Director and General Manager, LA Sanitation and Environment

Joone Kim-Lopez, Mayor Bass' appointee to serve as the new Executive Director and General Manager of LA Sanitation, will advance Mayor Bass' efforts to urgently clean city streets, ensure long-term care for critical infrastructure, and protect LA's environment through innovative solutions and partnerships. Headshot available here.

"I am honored to serve the great City of Los Angeles and am truly grateful to Mayor Bass for entrusting me with this incredible opportunity," said Mayor Bass' appointee Joone Kim-Lopez. "LA Sanitation & Environment is charged with the important work of keeping our communities safe, clean, and resilient by cleaning our streets, ensuring integrated planning for the city's critical infrastructure, and protecting our environment. I'm looking forward to advancing partnerships and innovation to get the job done and dedicating myself, alongside the members of our bureau, to the highest level of service for all Angelenos."

Joone Kim-Lopez was raised in Los Angeles after immigrating from South Korea. With more than 30 years of experience, Kim-Lopez currently serves as the General Manager and CEO of the Moulton Niguel Water District, overseeing the delivery of water, wastewater, and recycled water services to six cities in South Orange County. Throughout her career, Kim-Lopez has worked to foster relationships between local, state, and federal officials, and business, community, and labor leaders to shape legislation, protect critical infrastructure, enhance environmental stewardship, and improve emergency response. Joone Kim-Lopez holds a Master's Degree in Public Administration from California State University Northridge and is fluent in Korean and Spanish.

Mayor Bass also thanked interim Executive Director and General Manager Traci Minamide. "Traci has served Angelenos for nearly 40 years and represents the dedication that keeps Los Angeles moving forward. I want to thank her for her skilled leadership and stewardship of LASAN during this critical period."